• understand and reflect on CSR as an ambiguous and contested concept
• understand the strategic benefits of CSR/corporate sustainability as well as some of the possible shortcomings of instrumental approaches to sustainable development
• understand and reflect on opportunities, challenges and possible barriers associated with the creation of a more circular economy
• understand sustainable development as a systemic and dynamic concern that involves a variety of actors, agendas, principles, standards and modes of governance

The block seminar offers an opportunity for students to engage with cutting edge developments in the theory and practice of corporate sustainability, CSR (corporate social responsibility) and ESG investing (environment, social, governance), including reflections on the implications of the European Green Deal and new regulation targeting investors and businesses.

We cover the most recent developments in corporate sustainability and CSR and argue that companies are increasingly called upon to engage in a broader sustainability agenda with a strong focus on climate change and the environment. To speak of sustainability instead of social responsibility is not just a matter of substituting corporate sustainability for CSR. It is a matter of gaining a systemic – inclusive and collaborative – view of problems and possible solutions – even when taking the corporate point of view. 

However, the sustainability debate is not only about climate and the natural environment. The course will also address social issues such as business and human rights and diversity – along with current concerns regarding COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine and their impacts on corporate responsibility.

Theoretically, the block seminar covers a broad tapestry of developments in corporate sustainability and sustainable development, CSR (including strategic CSR and the business case), sustainable finance and ESG, business and human rights, circular economy and new sustainable business models, corporate communication and paradoxes.  

On the practice side, we will have presentations from leading Danish companies and investors on their current and future sustainability challenges. This year the course will include a field visit to ARC (Amager Ressourcecenter), one of the leading local forces in the green transition.

Throughout the seminar, our discussions will be rooted in practical examples and cases.

The block seminar will consist of a mixture of lectures, class discussions, corporate presentations, group work and group presentations.

The course lasts for one week only 

Course literature will include (indicative):

Vallentin, S. & Spence, L. (2017). Strategic CSR: Ambitions and Critiques. Ch. 3 in: Rasche, A., Morsing, M. & Moon, J. (Eds.). Corporate Social Responsibility – Strategy, Communication, Governance (pp. 63-85). St Ives: Cambridge University.

Christensen, L.T., Morsing, M. & Thyssen, O. (2013). CSR as aspirational talk. Organisation, 20(3), 1‐22.

Sjåfjell, B. (2018). Redefining the Corporation for a Sustainable New Economy. Journal of Law and Society, 45(1), 29-45.

Kramer, M.R., Agarwal, R. & Srinivas, A. (2019). Business as Usual Will Not Save the Planet. Harvard Business Review, June, 1-9.

Esposito, M., Tse, T. & Soufani, K. (2018). Introducing a circular economy: New thinking with new managerial and policy implications. California Management Review, 60(3), 5-19.

Valente, M. (2017). Corporate Responsibility Strategies for Sustainability. Ch. 4 in: Rasche, A., Morsing, M. & Moon, J. (Eds.). Corporate Social Responsibility – Strategy, Communication, Governance (pp. 86-109). St Ives: Cambridge University.

Eccles, R. & Klimenko, S. (2019). The Investor Revolution – Shareholders are getting serious about sustainability. Harvard Business Review, May-June, 107-116.

Kotsantonis, S., Pinney, C. & Serafeim, G. (2016). ESG Integration in Investment Management: Myths and Realities. Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, 28(2), 10-16.

Jamali, D. & Keshishian, K. (2009). Uneasy Alliances: Lessons Learned from Partnerships Between Businesses and NGOs in the Context of CSR. Journal of Business Ethics, 84, 277-295.

Christensen, L.J., Mackey, A. and Whetten, D. (2014). Taking Responsibility for Corporate Social Responsibility: The Role of Leaders in Creating, Implementing, Sustaining, or Avoiding Socially Responsible Firm Behaviors. Academy of Management Perspectives, 28(2), 164-178.

Boons. F. & Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2013). Business models for sustainable innovation: state-of-the-art and steps towards a research agenda. Journal of Cleaner Production, 45, 9-19.